Seattle's Pike Place Market
Last week I had to opportunity to venture north, to Seattle, and visit a number of our member companies. Seattle is a big city, full of sights, sounds, and a hustle-and-bustle we don't have in Bend, Oregon. As I negotiated my way through a maze of freeways, only one thought came to mind: "Seattle is a Big City." Once I got my bearings, I realized it wasn't that big after all, and was impressed at how easy it was to get around; I only wished I was commuting by bike instead of car.
I started off Day One with a stop at Brooks Sports where Conservation Alliance Ambassador, David Kemp, rallied a great group around coffee and pastries to learn more about The Alliance. I was impressed by the thoughtfulness of the group's questions and had a renewed sense of inspiration as I drove into Seattle's city center to meet with the folks from Outdoor Research.
![](https://www.conservationalliance.com/UserFiles/Image/Blog%20Photos/2012/Brooks_Shoe.jpg)
Vasque might be home to the largest boot, but I think Brooks is home to the largest running shoe.
Jeff Greenwell, Ambassador for Outdoor Research, helped to arrange for a lunch-time gathering, with pizza, of course, and I presented to a full room of OR employees, including CEO, Dan Nordstrom. The Conservation Alliance has recently funded a number of projects in Washington, namely the Wild Olympics Campaign and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Campaign, and it was great to discuss these projects in a bit more detail with people that call these areas their backyard. After my presentation, Christian Folk, OR's Grassroots Marketing Supervisor, gave me a tour of OR's facility, including the factory that manufactures OR accessories and gloves (right in downtown Seattle) and their onsite climbing wall.
![Outdoor Research Outdoor Research](https://www.conservationalliance.com/UserFiles/Image/Blog%20Photos/2012/OR_ChristianFolk.jpg)
![](https://www.conservationalliance.com/UserFiles/Image/Blog%20Photos/2012/Filson_1.jpg)
Visiting our members is one of the most inspiring parts of my job. We are all part of the Outdoor Industry; a collective voice that, when used together, can make a difference. I am proud and honored to work with people that have made a concious decision to be part of this voice – and together, we are making a difference.